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MURRRAAAAY's avatar
MURRRAAAAY

My pick would be Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as I have always been facinated with Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Samo Hung, Donnie Yen etc as a kid so when I first saw the UFC I was hooked! and since then I have been lucky enough to attend two live UFC events which were incredible!

There is something very real, raw and primal about two men or women getting in the octagon to see who is the best and giving it their all, almost Roman Gladiator in the Colosseum-esque I'd imagine! It is incredibly exciting to watch these incredible athletes step inside the cage to see who is the best. Also as it is a fight it really gets at you as it really is REAL... not like football (soccer) players who roll about the floor as if someone has launched a cannon ball at them when they haven't been touched, these guys and gals are the real deal.

Over the years I have seen some truly epic battles, the one that always sticks in my mind is Jon Jones VS Alexander Gustafsson.... OMG, that was a WAR... two guys, giving it there all, like seriously at some point they must have been like "im not gonna make it" but forwards and onwards they go, a real testament to human spirit and the skills these fighters posses. Speaking of the skills the more you understand the science behind MMA you realise there is SO many tactics at play and strategies and it is not just brutal cage fighting as uninformed people would lead you to believe.

Also it really is a universal sport, fighting is in every culture and nation as many have there own martial arts of fighting methods over history unlike some sports which can be huge but are very regional across the globe.

Just as a bonus I love how you can watch different body types and styles go at it and it may not have the outcome you expect as big muscly guys can look super intimidating but I have seen many times if the less muscled fighter can survive the early onslaught the big tank gasses out then it is a looooonnnnngg night for them!

Anyways I could leave a highlight video with tons of cool moves and KO's but heres some highlights from the one fight that always sticks in my mind I mentioned earlier! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWoblLV1bTo

Alex's avatar
Alex

Alright hear me out but Figure skating.

I will be honest and disclose I do enjoy Ice Skating and used to do figure skating classes, but without a doubt every time I watch figure skating I'm always amazed at how the skaters can move on the ice and perform so gracefully. I do enjoy watching Ice Hockey and Basketball, but figure skating just honestly amazes me and I low key want to get back into Ice Skating...

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer

I've been pondering this bounty and decided to delve into sports popularity research, as it seems a key indicator of a sport's entertainment value. This exploration itself was fascinating, and I stumbled upon a variety of lists on several websites.

source

However, my personal favorite is ice hockey. Interestingly, it's a relatively young sport, originating in Canada in 1875, just 149 years ago. Its popularity isn't limited to fan count but also extends to the number of countries where it's played. Ice hockey is uniquely demanding, both in terms of environment and equipment. Unlike most sports that only require a flat, grassy field, ice hockey necessitates significant preparation for its playing surface.

Beyond the technical requirements, ice hockey is a highly social sport. Fans often gather in pubs and stadiums, creating a vibrant community atmosphere as they watch and cheer for their favorite teams. The game's pace is incredibly fast, with a small playing field and high player speed. The hockey puck moves even faster, contributing to a dynamic environment where the game's momentum can shift dramatically in mere seconds.

Moreover, ice hockey is known for its brutality. We've witnessed numerous fights and aggressive plays during matches, making it arguably the most combative sport after martial arts. Interestingly, despite the sport's inherent aggression, ice hockey fans tend to display less violent behavior compared to football fans, who are often notorious for hooliganism.

Rich's avatar
RichStaff
Sturmer

Good stats! I sometimes forget how big a deal cricket is. Ice hockey is awesome though; I went to see a few Guildford Flames games in my 20s, all fantastic fun. I don't know many folks in the UK who have a team nearby!

BeyondBelief's avatar
BeyondBelief

Being a football (soccer) lover all my life, I've got a pretty biased answer here. I love watching sports and all different kinds but nothing has ever given me the same passion. The feeling of when your team scores the winning goal and the entire stadium erupts, truly no better feeling especially when you're inside the venue. Imagine a Champions League or World Cup Final featuring some of the best footballing stars and seeing them play the best football. The adrenaline, excitment, and brilliance. You never ever know what's going to happen next.

A
AlexGoesTheWorld

On top of my head, I'd say cycling.

The sport had woken up from the slumber of the Sky era where attacking was something to be done tomorrow, or the day after, for sure not today. The generation of the phenomena (Van Der Poel, Van Aert and Pogachar) aren't scared of attacking, aren't scared of attacking afar from the finish line, and they want to win. This lead that when they race, they usually make quite the shows, fighting to the last meter.

And it's clean. Cycling is the sport that did the most, with the most controls, against doping.

G
Groblin

I enjoy watching a lot of sport but I think the best one to watch for me has to be Rugby Union. I should say I only really watch international Rugby like the six nations and world cup.

The game is fast paced and rarely have I seen a boring match. I like how technology is a good part of the game and I think footballs VAR needs to look at how rugby implement these things. I also think that the players have a massive respect for the referees, even when I have seen arguments with the referee it is nothing like what goes on in football.

MikeCatDaddy's avatar
MikeCatDaddy

SInce we can have multiple options here, my first and more traditional sport is cricket, specifically T20. My reason for this is that virtually every ball bowled is likely to jave something exciting happen, be it runs scored or a wicket taken.

My second is a bit more unusual and that is professional wrestling. My reason for this one is very similar in some ways, the fact that something exciting could happen anytime, even if you know what will happen, you dont know how it will get there. Plus there are always surprises that could happen anytime too. The athleticism that they have and exhibit as well to do what they do is absolutely amazing and second to none.

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer
MikeCatDaddy

It was a discovery for me - Cricket is the #2 sport by popularity, scoring about 2.5b fans worldwide!

MikeCatDaddy's avatar
MikeCatDaddy
Sturmer

Absolutely, being followed by most people in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, not to mention the support it has in Australia and England/ The UK certainly helps pump that number up.

MURRRAAAAY's avatar
MURRRAAAAY
MikeCatDaddy

agreed! You looking forward to wrestlemania and / or forbidden door!?

MikeCatDaddy's avatar
MikeCatDaddy
MURRRAAAAY

Absolutely, cant wait for either really. Great time to be a wrestling fan.

MURRRAAAAY's avatar
MURRRAAAAY
MikeCatDaddy

100%

avrona's avatar
avrona

I was going to go for one of the more obvious options like football (as in what us Europeans calls football) or ice hockey. They are some of the world's most popular sports for a reason. But one that's always amazing to watch that doesn't get that same attention is ski jumping and ski flying. Like you have people flying hundreds of meters every few seconds, how can it not be entertaining! It's one of the most visually appealing winter sports and just sports in general.

FrostySomething's avatar
FrostySomething

I think sport takes on a whole other level once there is a story or narrative involved. Perhaps an unlikely underdog succeeding in extraordinary , like Luke Littler in the darts for example, or any ‘giant killing’ in the FA Cup.

But I’ve always had an affinity for racing, particularly Formula 1. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but even when the sport is dominated by a particular team or driver, I’ve found joy in the battles and strategic calls that occur across a grand prix. Just got the racing bug in suppose! 😁

FirestormGamingTeam's avatar
FirestormGamingTeam

For me personally,

Ice Hockey,

Whilst the sport is played on Ice and very dangerous I suppose, the sheer, fast-paced action of it is just epic. I love how each team skates around with grace but is also able to slam to a stop and split direction in a second (I'm very good on Ice Skates myself) and of course, once I went to a match and the atmosphere, is just amazing.

Another reason I love it is perhaps a more bloodthirsty reason, the fights, they happen so fast and half the time you are not even sure why they are happening, but it's really funny and they never hurt each other (to padded up) but it's funny watching them try and hurt each other (not in a bad way, it's just they can't but they sure as hell try lol).

So for, Ice Hockey, hands down! If you have never watched a match, I suggest you do, it's super entertaining.

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer
FirestormGamingTeam

it's like a football but faster and with PVP =)

FirestormGamingTeam's avatar
FirestormGamingTeam
Sturmer

haha I know right

JB
Josh B

I think generally football is the most entertaining but when you get a top drawer Rugby union international nothing compares to that intensity and thrill. There were so many of those perfect examples of highly entertaining matches in this year's 6 nations, with many games going to the wire and some surprise results!

Kane Carnifex's avatar
Kane Carnifex

This depends on your likes.

I can´t watch Football because the skill level based on the payment is a true shitshow Do you remeber Kickers? Where is this skill level in Football?

Anyway the best sport to watch is the sport you like.

For me ,if i need to choose, it would be Olympic in the oldstyle, everybody is naked and you can watch a human body in his peak of power and aesthetic.

R
Roypedd

My advice goes to Formula 1, personally I am a fan and I like to watch the entire race weekend. It is an unpredictable sport, a mistake can change an entire race and the battles are fantastic. All this without counting the beauty of the cars, the technology inside them and the extremely high level of the drivers, they do something out of this world. Enjoy!

D
Dean

of course it’s Darts. Where else can you see athletes competing at the top of their game whilst 5 blokes dressed as jockeys sing at the top of their voice whilst spilling pints over three other blokes dressed as Oompa Loompas and no one bats an eye lid.

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